Tag Archives: IOSH

Hot Desking

Thursday, 12 January 2017 10:50
Written by
0 Comments
Health and Safety Issues with Hot Desking
Image result for busy office environment
Hot desking is becoming more of a common feature in office based environments. The idea is to have workstations used to their maximum potential, especially in situations where employees are often out of the office, leaving workstations empty for periods of time. As there is with everything, pros and cons to having this in place. A number of health and safety issues may be related to the introduction of a hot desking system,
  • Employees may not set up the workstation for their own particular needs
Certain situations require specialist equipment for some individuals, either due to the work they undertake or due to medical or ergonomic requirements. Consideration for this would have to be given as to how this may be accommodated into the hot desking regime.
  • They may not be provided with the most appropriate equipment or equipment that could be adjusted for their requirements.
Every employee should set up their workstation correctly for their posture and to make it user friendly, a system must be introduced that enables employees to evaluate their workstation.
  • Hygiene and cleanliness issues, multiple employees using the same equipment.
A clear desk policy should be introduced, it may be advisable to provide antiseptic wipes/gel sprays for staff to use on telephones and keyboards.
  • Isolation from work colleagues or supervisors, difficulties with adapting to the new regime.
Introduce team zones that allow teamwork and a continuing of knowledge share, employees can then work with others that they are familiar with. A trade union has slammed the idea behind hot desking and says any money saved would be lost in higher sickness rates and lower staff morale. A source at the union said, “Forcing workers into a Ryanair-style dash for a seat in the office lowers morale and hits workers’ health. As utility companies and councils strive to make cuts, many call centre operations allocate desks on a first-come first-served basis, dehumanising workers. Packing up their space each evening and hot desking every morning, is the human equivalent of ‘battery hens’.” The union says that staff in call centres come under greater pressure because they are constantly monitored when they leave their desks — even to take toilet breaks. In addition, call centre workers have complained about the risk of infections, such as flu and other viruses spreading by constantly sharing equipment. 

HSE Provisional Figures Show UK Fatality Rate Has Plateaued

Thursday, 25 August 2016 12:36
Written by
0 Comments
Newly Published Workplace Fatalities Revealed During the period March 15 – March 16 statistics have shown that 144 people were killed at work. This latest fatal injury rate is 7% lower than the five year ( 2010 – 11, to 2014 – 15 ) average of 155 deaths. This indicates that there is a downward trend of workplace deaths with it more than being halved over the past 20 years. As it currently stands, these figures are provisional and won’t be finalised until July next year, this does mean that the figure of 144 could change.
  • 43 construction workers died last year, this has gone up since the previous year with a total of 35. This figure does include someone who was killed when Didcot Power Station collapsed in February but doesn’t take into consideration the three bodies that have not yet been found.
  • 27 workplace deaths occurred in the manufacturing industry, higher than the 5 year average of 22.
  • 27 fatalities in agriculture, this is lower than the 5 year average of 32.
  • 6 workers in the waste and recycling industry were killed compared with the 5 year average of 7.
  • Asbestos related cancer killed 2,515 in 2014, compared with 2,556 in 2013.
IOSH president Dr Karen McDonnell said in regard to the figures – “Britain is renowned the world over for its health and safety systems. The release of these figures, however, is a timely reminder of the need to continue to improve working conditions, both in Britain and across the world. Martin Temple, chair of the HSE said – “Britain has one of the best health and safety systems in the world, but we should always be looking to improve and to prevent incident that cost lives. image